ADD ADHD Meds vs Structure — ADD Tip o the Day 447

This is a reply to Amit Ronen, who is against children being drugged and is for letting them be their energetic selves and climb trees and play football:

Amit, yes, we need to design the school, and parenting, to fit the needs of the kids, not of the adults or the system.
If the kid has ADD, it is good to diagnose it, because that will help us adjust things to fit their needs. And for some of them, medication which will help them focus should be provided. It will help change their brain functioning towards effective instead of the disorganized ADD functioning. I agree they should not be drugged, sedating them to control their behavior would be horrible; giving them the means to control their own behavior is a gift. However, the primary target is not to settle them down and stifle their energy but to help them focus, and also to be able to channel their energy, to play football and climb trees better, but to be able to not climb on top of the desks during class. And this includes the ADHD, mostly girls, who are not hyperactive. Active is good, hyperactive is a problem that damages the kid.  And so is inattentive.
Some kids can do well just with structure, some need the meds.
So I endorse your view of making the schools, and the homes, better suited for the kids needs.
best wishes
doug

let them play

amits view clik  

one man’s story, on and off meds.  note that being on the meds helped with sports   clik

i just found out that you can share these Tips o the Day by clicking on the various buttons at the bottom!  Who knew??!  That would help others with ADD ADHD if you like the post.  (And it would help me too of course.) Thanks.